Every play, every yard counts

When the Carolina Panthers got the ball back against the Kansas City Chiefs with 30 seconds left and 86 yards away from a game-winning touchdown Sunday, their chances looked remote.

mike duprez

When the Carolina Panthers got the ball back against the Kansas City Chiefs with 30 seconds left and 86 yards away from a game-winning touchdown Sunday, their chances looked remote.And they lost. But they were within one play of pulling it off as Steve Smith hauled in a 53-yard bomb from Cam Newton at the 8-yard line as time ran out. It was a scene mindful of other close calls in the NFL, especially in games with much more at stake.The 1975 AFC Championship game (played on Jan. 4, 1976) in Pittsburgh pitted the Steelers against the Oakland Raiders. At that time, it was the NFL's greatest rivalry and they were playing in frigid conditions.Oakland was trailing 16-7 with 18 seconds left, facing a third-and-two at the Steelers' 24. Needing two scores anyway, the Raiders opted for a field goal and George Blanda booted a 41-yarder.Then the Raiders recovered the onside kick and had a last gasp chance. Wide receiver Cliff Branch hauled in a 37-yard pass from quarterback Kenny Stabler but was stopped at the 15 before he could get out of bounds. One more play and the Raiders might have pulled it off.Thomasville's Danny Medlin, a sixth-round draft pick in 1972, was a backup offensive guard for the Raiders in 1974 and later won a ring when Oakland beat the Minnesota Vikings 32-14 in Super Bowl XI.There was an even closer call in Super Bowl XXXIV when the St. Louis Rams beat the Tennessee Titans 23-16.The Titans had the ball at the Rams' 10 with six seconds remaining and no timeouts — time enough for one more play. Kevin Dyson caught the pass from Steve McNair at the 5, was wrapped up inside the 3 and tried to reach the ball across the goal line. He missed by inches.So close yet so far.Georgia needed one more play in Saturday's SEC Championship game. The Bulldogs looked like they were about to pull off a pulsating win over Alabama when quarterback Aaron Murray fired a 26-yard completion to Arthur Lynch, who was brought down at the Crimson Tide 8.The Bulldogs should have spiked the ball to stop the clock but tried for the game-winner at the 9-second mark. What happened next was a combination of Alabama skill and just plain bad luck for Georgia. Murray's pass was tipped at the line and landed in the arms of Chris Conley, who instinctively caught it and then slipped at the 5. Game over. If Conley drops the ball, Georgia gets another chance. If North Davidson could have recovered that second onside kick against Porter Ridge, the Knights would have had their own chance to finish off a great comeback.Every little thing counts in a close game. That will never change.Mike Duprez can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 218 or mike.duprez@the-dispatch.com.